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Daniil Medvedev has been on hearth the previous two months, successful titles in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai and Miami whereas additionally reaching the ultimate at Indian Wells. The key to his success has been easy.
Dominance in tennis is commonly considered controlling play with a very highly effective stroke, like Rafael Nadal‘s forehand or Stan Wawrinka‘s backhand. However Medvedev, the first-placed participant within the Pepperstone ATP Reside Race To Turin, has commanded the motion in current weeks by utilizing one other weapon: consistency.
According to statistics provided by Tennis Data Innovations, Medvedev has thrived not on energy and spin, however by placing the ball between the strains again and again. Medvedev has laid down a problem to his opponents: I can’t miss. What is going to you do to cease me?
Throughout his previous 5 tournaments, solely Carlos Alcaraz within the BNP Paribas Open ultimate has managed to interrupt down the Medvedev wall. The 27-year-old has received 24 of his previous 25 matches behind jaw-dropping consistency.
Forehands: Medvedev vs. The Area (2023 Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells & Miami)
Stat | Daniil Medvedev | Area (5 Occasions Mixed) |
% FH In | 88.4% | 85% |
Avg FH Out/Match | 11 | 15.7 |
Medvedev has made 88.4 per cent of his forehand groundstrokes (not together with returns) in comparison with 85 per cent for the sphere at these 5 tournaments. A distinction of three.4 per cent may not seem to be a lot, nevertheless it finally has confirmed essential.
Medvedev has missed a mean of 11 forehands per match in comparison with almost 16 for his opponents. Matches on the highest stage usually come down to some key factors, so each further mistake counts.
Opponents have hit their forehands almost one mile per hour more durable than Medvedev (76.1mph to 75.2 mph) and with extra spin (2,784 rpm to 2,467 rpm), however consistency has confirmed extra vital.
The hole has been even wider elsewhere. Medvedev made 92 per cent of his backhand groundstrokes on the aforementioned 5 tournaments in comparison with 85.9 per cent for the sphere, lacking simply 9.5 backhands per match (12.4 for opponents).
Backhands: Medvedev vs. The Area
Stat | Daniil Medvedev | Area (5 Occasions Mixed) |
% BH In | 92% | 85.9% |
Avg BH Out/Match | 9.5 | 12.4 |
Commentators and followers alike usually focus on Medvedev’s deep return place. Whereas some gamers step in to take a crack at second-serve returns, the World No. 5 stays nicely behind the baseline. The outcomes have been inarguable.
Medvedev has missed a mean of simply two second-serve returns per match throughout his scorching streak in comparison with 3.9 for the sphere. Not solely has he not often missed, however the 6’6” righty has additionally hit these photographs considerably more durable than opponents (75.2 mph to 71 mph).
Standing deep within the court docket permits Medvedev to take a much bigger swing on the ball. Not solely does he give himself extra time to hit the ball more durable, however he nearly by no means misses these essential returns.
Second-Serve Returns: Medvedev vs. The Area
Stat | Daniil Medvedev | Area (5 Occasions Mixed) |
% 2nd-Serve Ret In | 90.7% | 83.3% |
Avg 2nd-Serve Ret Out/Match | 2 | 3.9 |
It has not been a case of Medvedev locking down in opposition to lesser opponents, both. Within the ultimate of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in opposition to Prime 10 star Andrey Rublev, Medvedev made an astonishing 100 per cent of his backhand groundstrokes (not together with returns) and 100 per cent of his second-serve returns.
Rublev is among the greatest ball-strikers on the ATP Tour, particularly on the forehand aspect. Medvedev saved his cool and put up his defensive wall. It was not a small pattern dimension. Medvedev made all 61 of his backhand groundstrokes in that match in accordance with the information.
Within the Miami Open presented by Itau ultimate in opposition to Jannik Sinner, one other of the Tour’s greatest hitters, Medvedev made 88 per cent of his forehand groundstrokes, 94 per cent of his backhand groundstrokes and 92.6 per cent of his second-serve returns.
Medvedev’s Transition To Clay: ‘I Definitely Have To Change My Game’
Medvedev’s magic has not been within the sizzle of flashy winners — and he has hit his justifiable share of these — however in his consistency. Will he be capable of keep that throughout the clay-court season, beginning this week on the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters? The third seed will definitely strive.
“You may’t change what you do in 9 months or a 12 months drastically,” Medvedev stated of the floor change throughout his pre-tournament press convention. “So I’ve to discover a good steadiness the place I nonetheless play my sport, with a bit change, with some photographs in the suitable second.”
For essentially the most half, meaning staying constant. Medvedev begins his clay season on Wednesday in opposition to Italian wild card Lorenzo Sonego.
Editor’s Observe: Knowledge comes from automated ball and participant monitoring knowledge.
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